STIHL MS 380 Chainsaw Reviews, Specs, Versions, Price

The STIHL MS380 is known as one of the “oddball” saws.

It was never sold in the USA because it didn’t meet emissions standards. It was sold in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, parts of Asia, and a few other countries.

It’s a 72.2 cc saw designed for “very heavy-duty use on a wide variety of commercial or farming jobs.” The 380 is a pro saw and very similar to the STIHL 038 Magnum which came before it.

STIHL MS 380 chainsaw

I’ve not been able to find out the exact production years for the MS 380, but I believe it was made from 1999 to 2007.

In the STIHL Fans FB group, David had this comment about the 038, MS 380, MS 381, and MS 382:

They made 3 variants of the 038:

1. 038 (or farmboss)
2. 038 super (or AVS)
3. and the 038 magnum (and magnum 2)

All great saws.

They didn’t meet EPA requirements in the USA so they stopped producing them in West Germany and continued the production of the most popular model, the 038 Magnum, in Brazil.

Since then they have updated to the MS380, then updated to the MS381, and now they have an MS382.

And Benjamin, who owns a 038 Magnum II shared:

[The o38 Magnum is] an excellent all-purpose chainsaw.

I’ve got a 25″ bar on mine. Put a 20″ on the MS381 Magnum which is the last of that line of Stihl chainsaws.

038 Magnum, MS380 Magnum, then MS381 Magnum. They did make an MS382 Magnum but it is only available in South Africa for some reason. Replaced in the global market by the MS462.

The old 038, 380, and 381 are great saws. 72cc around the 4kw 12,500 – 13,500 RPM pure grunt torque saws. The ultimate Australian hardwood firewood chainsaws without going to an MS660 Magnum which is my biggest chainsaw currently running a 25″ as well.

All 3/8 semi chisel chains. All 3 are running 7 tooth rim sprockets.

The MS 380 is a popular saw, but it’s hard to find much information on it.

MS 380 versions

These are the specs from the manual. You can see there are multiple versions of the 380 listed.

There is the base model, which is listed as:

MS 380
Engine power 3.6–3.9 kW (4.9–5.3 bhp)

The reference in the footnotes says, “Depending on muffler version”. The base model 380 was sold with different mufflers, which altered the power output.

Then there is the N version.

MS 380 N
Engine power 3.3 kW (4.5 bhp)

The reference this time says that N on Stihl chainsaws means a low-compression engine.

It’s the same with the MS181 – it has an N version. But it doesn’t appear to have carried on through to the MS382.

STIHL MS 380 reviews

Most user reviews of the MS 380 are very positive.

The most negative comment I saw said:

I just got a dog of a 380, the old 038 Magnums were awesome so I figured the 380 would be too.

I sold mine and bought an MS441 instead and so far so good on it.

Here are other comments from our Facebook posts:

• Wacïūri said, “Yes, very strong saw I have one in Kenya.”
• Adrian said, “Great saw with high rpm like no other Husqvarna, Dolmar, etc.”
• Terry said, “Could not live without this one, great saw.”

Some complain that the saw is a bit heavy for its power output, but overall, it’s considered a very good chainsaw.

Specs and features

This ad was pulled from an old STIHL Australia brochure where it was marketed as a ‘Farm saw.’

Specs are:

• 72.2 cc
• 3.6–3.9 kW
• 4.9–5.3 bhp
• 52 mm bore, 34 mm stroke
• 2,500 rpm max idle
• 12,500 rpm max running
• Electronic ignition
• Bosch WSR 6 F, NGK BPMR 7 A, Champion RCJ 6 Y spark plugs
• 0.5 mm electrode gap
• Weighs 6.6 kgs
• Rollomatic 37, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 63 cm
• Duromatic 37, 40, 45, 50, 55 and 63 cm

Check out the full specs in the Stihl MS380 manual here (instant download).

Being a pro saw it has a magnesium crankcase, decent anti-vibe system, auto oiler, chain brake, and so on.

MS 380 Vs MS 381 

The MS 380 and MS 381 are very similar saws.

The MS 381 was slightly modernized and included some new features like ElastoStart.

For very heavy duty use on a wide variety of commercial or farming jobs. Deco valve to make starting easier. ElastoStart handle on pull cord for easier starting.

 STIHL MS 381 specs:

• 3.9 kW engine power
• 6.6 kg dry weight
• 72.2 cc engine capacity
• 20” (50cm) max bar length

Both saws are equally good.

Compared to something like the MS 391, however, the 380 is much better as it’s a pro saw with a better design.

Most people would choose the 038 Magnum over the 380, however.

Imitation STIHL MS 380

380 clone saws appear similar to the real thing.

This includes kits that you assemble yourself, costing about $165 and $80 shipping from China, or there a fully built clones like the Neo-Tec brand.

STIHL warned about these imitation saws in a blog post here.

There are a number of ways you can identify a real STIHL chainsaw from a fake/clone, which we wrote about in this article on buying a used chainsaw.

Generally speaking, these clone saws are not all bad, as long as you don’t expect them to perform and last like the real deal.

Farmertec Holzfforma saws are STIHL clones that are pretty good for the price. The main problem is people trying to pass off clones as genuine.

STIHL MS 380 price

Lastly, to finish things off, what is an MS380 worth?

As always, it depends on the condition. A NIB or NOS MS380 would sell for a mint, but a well-loved but still running example might fetch around $300 US.

If it’s made up of aftermarket parts, it won’t sell for as much, nor if it’s been run hard and not looked after (obviously). There are plenty of people who are trying to collect all the STIHL saws, so it will have a higher value in their eyes, especially in the US.

Let me know: what would you rather have, an MS 380, an MS 500i, or an 056?

All three are around the same power.